John David Hawver: Artist and Steward of the Keys
Oil painter John David Hawver, one of the best-known artists in the Florida Keys, is soft-spoken, modest and friendly. While he loves the people of the Keys, he paints the 125-mile-long island chain’s environmental scenes and nature-scapes. He likes to use color in his work — particularly the colors of the water and sky.
Pucker Pros Take Center Stage in Key West’s ‘Conch Honk’
Maybe chart-topping rock stars aren’t abandoning their guitars to play the conch shell. But that’s okay — because the “pucker pros” playing pink-lined shells were treated like rock stars at Key West’s recent Conch Shell Blowing Contest. The event saluted the Florida Keys’ seafaring heritage and centuries-old use of the “conch horn” for signaling.
Fred the Tree: The Florida Keys’ ‘Celebri-Tree’
Fred the Tree, the Florida Keys’ thriving and resolute “celebri-tree” that grows improbably on the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge, is debuting as a movie star in the remake of “Road House.” The beloved Fred is also memorialized in a song and a children’s book — and his Facebook page has 34,000 followers!
Steward of the Keys: Dan Dawson Dives
Dan Dawson, co-owner with wife Mollie of Key Largo’s Horizon Divers, certified by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as an environmentally responsible Blue Star operator, discovered his passion for diving at an early age. Today, he’s energized by seeing kids and young adults learn about the Keys’ environment and its protection.
How Florida Keys Fishing Legends Created the March Merkin
Roughly 18 years ago, the March Merkin permit tournament was born in the Florida Keys. One of the longest-running permit challenges in the world, the fly-fishing tournament is hard to fish and hard to win. Guest blogger Allison Delashmit provides a look at the angling event, and ways people can support it.
‘Business Travel’ … With a Key West Twist
A Key West vacation should be an escape from “real-world” business pressures, and a chance to remember that personal priorities are far more self-defining than professional ones. For those who can’t let go of the business-first mindset, Keys Voices presents three guidelines to ease potential guilt during a pleasure trip to the island.
Explore the Family-Friendly Florida Keys
From special animal encounters to meeting sea turtles in their own hospital, the Florida Keys & Key West offer family-friendly activities to captivate visitors of all ages. Families can explore unique aquariums; lush botanical gardens; nurturing facilities for dolphins and wild birds; or a wildlife refuge that protects tiny indigenous Key deer.